Saved by Saskatoon – The Compilation

The nine bands whose work is represented here span a wide Prairie landscape of music. The Deep Dark Woods mix traditional folk music with rock and roll, alt-country and psychedelia. Psychedelia is also an element of holzkopf’s work, mashed up with jungle, hip-hop, and eardrum-bursting feedback. Dumb Angel (Shaun Mason) centres spectral compositions around ethereal vocals and melodic, droning guitar. Pearson play intimate folk-core inspired by Grant Fuhr, Soren Kierkegaard and one-speed bikes; when their lovely lady strikes out on her own, she’s called A Gentle Forest. The practically orchestra-sized Carbon Dating Service make a joyful noise with voices, hearts and horns. These Hands (Michael Hanson) is deceptively understated and idiosyncratically catchy, in the vein of Lennon, Bowie and Drake. The Junior Pantherz have been a guitar-powered, cymbal-kicking, indie-rock machine since 1999. And the Western Canadian Music Award-winning The Blood Lines’ pop-rock is equal to any from Montreal or Toronto.

1. These Hands – We Will Be Born Again
2. Holzkopf – The Old Life
3. Dumb Angel – Two Leaves
4. Pearson – My Ghost Your Ghost
5. The Blood Lines – The End Of The World
6. Carbon Dating Service – Dead Dogs
7. Junior Pantherz – Class Action Lawsuit
8. The Deep Dark Woods – The Straight & Narrow
9. A Gentle Forest – The Moon’s Appeal
*(Artist – Song)

Becoming more and more known in the music scene, the good old city of Saskatoon is getting some decent exposure lately.  Having been there many times and living in both Winnipeg and Calgary, I have basically sandwiched this city by the river almost my whole life.  Who would have thunk it that I should have stopped halfway between the two cities and made Saskatoon my home??  While keeping the small town vibe but still being a growing urban area – it is well known to be one of the most beautiful prairie towns around – it is now the indie music scene that has come to the forefront.  Whether it be the awesome Alt Country of “The Deep Dark Woods” or the orchestral “Carbon Dating Service” and all the way to the stunning folk-core of “Pearson” and indie rock of “Junior Pantherz”.  Seems like there is a little too much depth for this little city, but that is the way they like it I’m sure.

Visit Killbeat Music (the remainder of the tracks not included in this post can be downloaded at Killbeat) and Saved By Radio for more information and pick up a copy of the physical CD at SBR HERE.

~Smansmith